53 



we have now in the specimen on the table the most convincing proof 

 that these young fish belong to some migratory species of salmon, and 

 we have, therefore, no right to doubt the statement of those who sent 

 the eggs from which the parent fish were produced, and must admit 

 that their progeny are true salmon trout. The specimen before 

 you (presentation No. 5) is a facsimile of some 300 others now in 

 our large pond at the Plenty, all of which have assumed the full 

 smolt dress of brilliant scales, which dress is not only the invariable 

 characteristic of those which migrate seawards, but also the unerring 

 sign that they are ready to depart. Besides the great fact of the final suc- 

 cess of the salmon trout,which this specimen abundantly proves, there is 

 another interesting point to which I desire to call attention. Of the 

 two smolts caught in the estuary of the Derwent in the end of October 

 last year (that is at the very same season at which this specimen has 

 been taken from the pond) one was sent to England and pronounced by 

 Dr. Gunther to be an abortive salmon trout, the other was kept here, 

 and is now before you. Upon comparing these specimens, you will find 

 that the salmon trout smolt from the pond at the Plenty, though a 

 healthy, well-fed, well-shaped, silvery fish, is not one-fourth of the weight 

 of its abortive brother, and they exhibit other differences which make it 

 difficult to believe that they are identical in species. During the last 

 fortnight the parent salmon trout, unhappily reduced in number to 11, 

 and which first assumed the smolt livery three years ago, have exhibited 

 marked restlessness at their forced detention, swimming round and round 

 their pond, seekmg an outlet, and even throwing themselves out of the 

 water at the lower grating in such a determined manner as to render it 

 necessary to increase the height of the guard to prevent their escape." 



A list, in course of publication by Mr. Legrand, of 42 new species of 

 Tasmanian land shells, principally discovered by him, was laid on the 

 table for inspection. Accompanying and illustrating the list was a series 

 of lithographs, exquisitely rendered by Mrs. Forde and Miss Scott, of 

 Sydney. 



A very beautiful collection of roses, comprising thirty-two named 

 varieties, from the Society's Gardens, was exhibited, and was examined 

 with much interest by the Fellows. Mr. Abbott mentioned that the 

 Gardens now contained about one hundred and fifty varieties of this 

 flower. 



After some conversational discussion, the usual vote of thanks having 

 been accorded to the authors of papers and the donors of presentations, 

 the meeting terminated. 



